Wed, Aug 04, 2010
FAA Funding Continuing Resolution Included Major Increase In
Part 121 Pilot Qualifications
The Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations (CAPA) which
represents over 28,000 professional airline pilots, issued a
statement praising the US House and Senate passage of the pilot
safety bill which will greatly increase part 121 airline pilot
qualifications. CAPA said it has long advocated that the
current FAA Airline Transport Pilot license must be the minimum
qualification for all part 121 pilots. After more than a year of
efforts by CAPA's Executive Officers and Government Affairs
Committee personnel, Congress has passed a bill requiring the
Airline Transport Pilot license for commercial pilots.
In June of 2009, the representatives of 90,000 professional airline
pilots testified in Congress that all pilots flying 'Airline
Transport Aircraft' should, at a minimum, posses an FAA 'Airline
Transport Pilot License' (ATP). CAPA's line flying pilot
representatives canvassed Congress, meeting with the members and
their staffs educating each on the value of a well trained crew,
the recent erosion of new hire pilot qualifications, and the need
for more experience in US commercial airline cockpits. 'The
United States House of Representatives demonstrated their agreement
with CAPA's position by passing the bi-partisan Airline Safety and
Pilot Training Improvement Act of 2009 with an overwhelming vote of
409-11 in August of 2009," CAPA said in the statement. "This is a
positive first step in securing the safety of the flying
public."
"This pilot safety bill is the latest version of the Airline Safety
and Pilot Training Improvement Act and is a testament of dedication
to the safety of the travelling public that Chairman Oberstar,
Chairman Costello, Chairman Dorgan, Ranking Member Mica and Ranking
Member Petri have demonstrated as leaders of Congressional
Transportation committees," the statement continued. CAPA
Vice-President and "Miracle on the Hudson" First Officer Jeff
Skiles added, "As Professional Airline Pilots and experts in the
field, we know that the requirement to possess an Airline Transport
Pilot license is a definable common sense standard and a
prerequisite experience requirement for all pilots who shoulder the
responsibility of the travelling public in our air transportation
system. The Congress and Senate have greatly improved the safety of
the travelling public with the passage of this bill and CAPA
applauds their efforts."
The Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations is a trade association
which represents over 28,000 professional pilots at carriers
including American Airlines, Southwest Airlines, UPS Airlines, ABX
Air, Atlas Air Cargo, Kalitta Air, Polar Air Cargo, Southern Air,
Horizon Air, and US Airways.
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